One of the things about the Craft that many people are completely unaware of is the aspect of not just a caldron but a specific type of caldron, which is referred to as Cerridwen’s Caldron. To understand this, one must first become somewhat familiar with who Cerridwen is. Cerridwen is considered to be a Goddess in Celtic traditions. She was said to live on a remote island and it is also said that she was a shapeshifter and most powerful witchy type of character. She is also given the honor of collecting earth-bound souls after the moment of death and taking them to the otherworld. She is often depicted as an old hag, but because she can shapeshift she has also been represented as a maiden or a mother. She has also been depicted as an old hag who is pregnant. So really, the rules and regulations of this world simply do not apply to Cerridwen.
As I have mentioned before, the caldron represents the Goddess in her many forms. The three legs of a caldron represent the Maiden, Mother and Crone. The belly of the caldron represents the womb of the Great Mother. What goes into it in terms of intent manifests in this realm. That is why it is so important to place positive things into the caldron. And if you place negative things, understand that they will manifest with just as much power as any of the positive things.
The Geode (a hollow rock lined with crystals on the inside) when split open resembles a caldron and is thought of as “Cerridwen’s caldron.” It is a natural formation that comes from the Earth (the Great Mother) and so is utilized as a powerful caldron of manifestation. My own Cerridwen’s Caldron is placed with the opening facing upward while resting on a three-legged crystal stand. Of course the three legs of the stand represent the same thing as the three legs on a regular caldron. The difference in how I use this caldron is key.
Where caldron work in a regular caldron involves intent, ingredients prepared and added a certain way, heating up with fire or using water instead, or even sand for an earth-based spell and so on, Cerridwen’s caldron does not require ingredients. Yes, it requires intent. But all the ingredients are held within the crystals of the geode as is. So when I use my Cerridwen’s Caldron, I think clearly about what it is that I am manifesting FOR MYSELF (I never use it to perform any healing or magic on anyone else…my personal choice). I have to feel completely congruent in my mind and, most importantly, in my heart before stating what I am manifesting. Then I use whispered words to speak into the caldron. I whisper because the crystals don’t need noise in order to understand what I am saying. Once the intent is whispered, I state, “So mote it be.” This is like saying, “As I will, so must it be.” Then I sit back and release the magic into the hands of Cerridwen’s Caldron. As I do this the manifestation is pretty much immediate (at least within minutes or within a day or two). When I am releasing something from my energy field, for example, it might take a moment, but then WHAM! I can feel it let go and it does not come back. If I am integrating something into my energy system it only takes a moment and BAM! I can feel it enter and anchor in. This is why it is so important to be congruent in your mind and heart. The results are IMMEDIATE, so if you get it wrong, well, you will have to live with that…at least until you can figure out how to correct it.
If you have become inspired to try out a Cerridwen’s Caldron for yourself, I would suggest that you first research Cerridwen herself. Get to know this amazing Goddess and feel comfortable with her. After all, you are borrowing her magic in order to do your own manifestations. You do not want her feeling like you are appropriating anything that she has not already given you her blessings to use. When angered, she is absolutely ferocious and formidable. So get to know and understand her, Then ask for her blessings upon yourself and your Cerridwen’s Caldron. Then be sure to always use it responsibly and respectfully.